What really happened to King and Conqueror's Harold Godwinson at Battle of Hastings?

King and Conqueror follows Harold Godwinson, also known as Harold of Wessex, who is allies with William of Normandy.However, following the death of King Edward - or, Edward the Confessor - Harold and William became enemies as they disagreed over who should be King of England.

The new BBC drama, starring James Norton and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, follows the relationship between the two men, which culminated in the Battle of Hastings in 1066. But what happened to Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings?

Following King Edward's death in 1066, Harold claimed he had been named as his successor and his coronation took place on January 6.

When William heard of Harold's coronation, he immediately began to plan his invasion of England believing he was Edward's successor.

It wasn't until October 1066 that William and his army landed in England.

Harold had been preparing for William to retaliate after his coronation but before the Battle of Hastings, he faced invasions by his own brother Tostig and Harald Hardrada, the King of Norway.

While Harold managed to defeat Tostig and Hardrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in September 1066, he didn't have much time to prepare to face William.

As Harold's army recovered, William landed on the south coast and forced the English army to march towards Hastings.

The battle is said to have lasted from 9am until dusk with William's early efforts to break the English battle lines falling short.

Changing tactic, William and the Normans pretended to flee before turning on the pursuing English army.

Historians believe Harold's death took place at the end of the battle after an arrow struck his eye.

However, there are contradictions over how he died. A Norman Bishop claimed he was lanced and dismembered by four knights.

Following his death, William invited Harold's wife Edith to identify his body - signalling how close the two men had once been.

Again, there have been varying reports of what happened to Harold with some stories claiming the King didn't die but fled England while others stating he lived as a hermit in Chester or Canterbury.

King and Conqueror airs on BBC One on Sunday at 9pm.